You really do get what you pay for. The rent at Chesapeake is phenominally low compared to the average price/sqft for North Dallas. On the other hand, the rent is a little higher than the surrounding aparmtent complexes, which are dirt cheap. Why' Because this is a bad neighborhood.

Don't get me wrong; Chesapeake is a good complex. The landscaping is excellent, with towering trees, pools in two of the three courtyards, and a beautiful fountain system in the other courtyard. Also, because of the design of the complex, every apartment has at least one window facing a courtyard. The sound of flowing water blocks out what little traffic noise there is. There is also little crime in this particular complex; he gated entrance and exit actually works. There are a lot of families around, with kids underfoot in the warmer months, and there's always someone in the pool. As a 22-year-old white woman who lives alone and drives a fairly nice car, I have never felt unsafe while inside the parking lot or in my own apartment.

The neighborhood, however, is a different story. Outside those gates are pushers, hustlers, and gangsters. Big Mama's Chicken & Waffles is a stone's throw away, and while their chicken is excellent, they have a reputation for dealing. There's a lot of foot traffic as well.

Besides that, this place is really a steal. Management demands cleanliness, so there is hardly ever trash or overgrowth on the premises. Everyone has to have a reasonably tidy patio/balcony. The downside of this is that you can't have a satellite dish strapped to the railing, so you have to pay extra to get a tripod or a bucket with cement. I've filed a few maintenance requests, and all except one were completed either the same day or the next day. Also, my appliances are from 1985. No joke; the owner's manual is still stuck in one of the drawers, but at least they still all work. My boyfriend has an apartment in the same complex, and he has all new appliances.

The kitchen in the smallest floor plan has absolutely no drawer space and is TINY, but makes up for it with cabinet space. Every apartment comes with a washer and dryer unit. These are old apartments, so there are roach problems, but they really do come in and spray when you ask them to. I actually got them to fumigate my place because the problems were so bad, and it's been way better since. Management is super pet friendly so long as your dog doesn't bark, otherwise you get a warning. Pet deposits are reasonable. Parking is pretty good, too. Every apartment gets one assigned covered spot, and there is plenty of visitor parking so that no one has to walk too far. The complex is extremely well-lit at night. Also, the complex is a five-minute drive or a ten-minute walk from the DART station, which also has plenty of free parking.

Management is caring and conscientious. I am really proud of them, because they try so hard to make this place much better than the surrounding complexes. There are refreshments and dog treats in the management office, and even over the phone they try to resolve your problems quickly and efficiently. The maintenance crew knows what they are doing, and they at least get out to your problems and investigate them the same day, provided you call in early enough. Even when the gate (inevitably) breaks, they get it fixed within hours.

I'm really satisfied. I've been here nine months, and I plan to stay until I get a house.

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